BRITAIN'S challenge for Sunday's Heinz 57 Phoenix Stakes at Leopardstown is likely to number just two. The Peter Chapple Hyains trained Prix Robert Papin winner Ocean Ridge and Muchea (Mick Channon) may be the only ones bidding to maintain an impressive British record of nine wins from the last 11 runnings of the Group One contest.
They are the only definite starters among five British acceptors taking on a strong home team which will include Coventry Stakes winner Verglas. Chapple Hyam, successful three years ago with Turtle Island, committed Ocean Ridge to the contest yesterday morning.
He selected the daughter of Storm Bird ahead of Carmine Lake, who leapt into pattern race class with victory in the Molecomb Stakes at Goodwood last week.
Raphane, set to represent Peter Savill on Sunday, finished third in the Molecomb and was a place "head of Muchea when that colt last ran in the Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot.
"I don't think things went right for him at Ascot where he was slightly impeded by Raphane," Channon said. I was a bit worried about him after that. But I do feel horses need plenty of time" after Ascot and Muchea looked, smashing when he breezed this morning. He will go to Ireland and take his chance."
Richard Hughes, who has been out of action with flu, returns for one ride at Wolverhampton today and will be back aboard Muchea at Leopardstown. Hughes has won on the highly rated Bahamian Bounty who is also engaged in the Heinz but will probably wait for the Prix Morny instead.
His trainer David Loder said. "I still have to speak to the owner but at this stage he is an unlikely runner in Ireland and hopefully he will be re-routed to France."
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